Sustainable sourcing

Stora Enso has, as a business with over 20,000 suppliers around the world, a significant influence within global supply chains. Our commitment to sustainable sourcing is underpinned by a comprehensive tendering process, proactive supplier engagement, strong risk management, and third-party supplier audits.

In a world marked by geopolitical tensions and rising costs, businesses and supply chains face heightened uncertainty on a global scale. Additionally, stakeholders and EU regulations are calling for enhanced supply chain transparency. Sustainable supply chains play a pivotal role in advancing human rights, fair labour practices, ethical business conduct, and environmental responsibility.

The Supplier Code of Conduct is the cornerstone of the our approach to responsible sourcing. It is a legally binding document that imposes sustainability requirements on our suppliers concerning human and labour rights, occupational health and safety, climate change, biodiversity, ethical recruitment, and reasonable remuneration for employees.

Stora Enso uses forest certification and third-party traceability systems to know the origin of all the wood we use and to ensure that it comes from sustainable sources. These include the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC¹) Chain of Custody/Controlled Wood scheme, the Chain of Custody/Due Diligence System of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), and the ISO 14001 environmental management system. Stora Enso’s Supplier Code of Conduct complements these tools by imposing strict contractual requirements on suppliers

To engage in business with Stora Enso, all prospective suppliers are required to undergo a prequalification process, which occurs during the tendering stage or, at the latest, prior to the drafting of a contract. To pre-qualify, suppliers must complete a questionnaire, submit confirmation of their compliance with the Supplier Code of Conduct, provide data on their safety and CO₂ performance, and complete a safety management online training called ‘Safety Trail’. The sustainability criteria are used to help make more balanced sourcing decisions and create incentives for suppliers to invest in sustainability performance.

Goals and key actions

Stora Enso’s key performance indicator (KPI) for sustainable sourcing measures the proportion of total supplier spend covered by its Supplier Code of Conduct. Performance against the KPI for sustainable sourcing is reported quarterly in the Group's interim reports. 

Key actions

1. Continuous work to ensure high coverage for the Supplier Code of Conduct
2. Systematic reduction of CO₂e emissions in the supply chain through incentives, training and knowledge sharing, and co-operation with suppliers
3. Improvements in digitalising Scope 3 emissions accounting for improved data accuracy and data-driven decision-making
4. Ensuring that processes and tools are in place for the responsible sourcing of wood fiber

For more details on how we work with suppliers, see our Annual Report.